Kenneth Lloyd Howe

Kenneth Lloyd Howe November 24 1933 November 27 2024 Kenneth Howe was born in Tribune Kansas to Nicholas Joel Howe and Dora Jean Thole. Within a few years the family moved to Stafford Kansas, where Kenneth's younger brother Robert was born. Nicholas farmed the land that was owned by the family, so Kenneth grew up farming in that community and attending church. It was there that Kenneth's parents instilled a sense of serving God. There was never a reason to miss a church gathering. It was at age 17 that Kenneth decided to join the ministry. Kenneth attended Sterling College for a time. It is obvious that he enjoyed Sterling, so much so, that later in his life he started a scholarship program in his father’s name to assist students that needed extra financial assistance to attend. After Sterling, Kenneth attended Baylor University. Upon graduating from Baylor, he went to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth Texas. This would become a pivotal move in his life, as he would soon meet his future wife! While attending church he met Ann Keech. A lovely young lady that would have his heart. They married on December 22, 1958. And yes, it would be forever. Kenneth graduated from seminary and started looking for a church to pastor. At that same time, Kenneth's father had an accident. The newlyweds moved to Stafford Kansas to help with the farming. Kenneth worked through harvest, while Ann learned from the best cook in five counties, her mother-in-law. They enjoyed their time in Stafford, however, Kenneth was still searching for a church to pastor. In early 1960, a church in Spokane Washington called. The church consisted of 50% English speaking, and 50% German speaking members. Kenneth took that as a challenge! The first of many throughout his ministry career. Many blessings and milestones were made with wonderful friends in Spokane, including the births of two of their children. Annette was born in June of 1960, and Keith was born in December of 1962. The friendships and connections they made in Spokane were deep. And the love of the Pacific Northwest would stay in their hearts forever. In 1965, the decision was made to move to Waco Texas, to Central Baptist church. It was familiar to Kenneth, as it was across the street from Baylor Bears stadium. He also had many friends and professors there that he enjoyed. He relished the fact that he could talk to some of his professors to gain more insight before he created his sermons. Unfortunately, his daughter Annette had allergies that would force the family to move. In 1968, they moved to Oak Street Baptist Church in Burlington Iowa. Oak Street was a large Baptist church where Kenneth was an associate pastor. This is where Kenneth started an outreach program. As an avid baseball player, he started a new little league team on the west side of town. This gave him another opportunity to reach people and bring them to church. He also started bible studies around the community. His outreach allowed for growth and the church flourished. During this time Kenneth and Ann were blessed with their youngest daughter, Anndrea, born September of 1971. While their family, the church and their friendships were growing, the Lord was calling Kenneth in yet another direction. In 1975, the family moved to Lamar Colorado. Many great milestones happened in Lamar. Kenneth started visiting areas of the town and decided they needed a better way to get kids and their families to the church. He decided to start a bus program. The church bought a bus, and in the beginning, Kenneth drove that bus himself picking up children and their families to bring to church. In time, the program flourished to 3 buses! It was a great ministry for a town of around 7,500 people. Continuing his desire for outreach, Kenneth contacted Billy Graham Ministries to ask for crusades for the area. They sent a wonderful man named Howard Jones to lead the town crusades. During that time, many, many people dedicated their lives to Christ. Kenneth worked hard to keep up with those families, helping and guiding them on their journey to salvation. And again, the church flourished. Kenneth always enjoyed music and one of the shining details about the church in Lamar was the music. Kenneth brought together a group of musicians that was superior. One man was asked to sing for the Philadelphia philharmonic choir. Another played the guitar for Elvis. That's a good combination! During this time, Frontier Days was invented. Kenneth would ride into town on a horse like a high prairie pastor. People would dress in time period clothing of the old west, and this is when the music would shine! The service would have fiddle players, banjos and guitars. Kenneth very much loved bluegrass gospel music. That is the music he grew up with, and it was very close to his heart. The church community grew to love it as well, and the tradition continued for years. Again, the Lord began to tug at Kenneth’s heart. He had always desired to start or rebuild a church and a church in Portland Oregon needed a pastor. The membership had drastically fallen. The congregation consisted mainly of older couples, widows and widowers, but there was also a handful of young families with a few children. This was the perfect rebuilding opportunity for Kenneth, and it also afforded them the chance to head back to the Pacific Northwest. In late October 1984, Kenneth, Ann and Anndrea moved to Portland to take on Grant Park Baptist Church. As soon as he could, Kenneth took to canvasing the neighborhood inviting people to attend church. He introduced the board to a new home bible study/outreach program he wanted to start. Some questioned it, but the home Bible study program started, and the church flourished. By the second year the church grew and over 30 children were sent to summer church camp at Camp Arrah Wanna. Kenneth had a heart for Christian Camping and would go on to lead as the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Camp Arrah Wanna for several years. During this time at Grant Park, the Billy Graham organization held a crusade in Portland. Billy Graham Ministries called on Kenneth to oversee all the counseling staff during the crusade. A charge that was taken very seriously. With his wife Ann at his side, and his children singing their hearts out in the crusade choir, he continued to instill the love of God in the hearts of many. Very quietly, and unassuming, as always, carrying out God's work. Kenneth retired…. three times. He started a new church, and helped another church rebuild. He started a wood ministry, distributing firewood to those in need of heating their homes. That ministry still exists and is flourishing today. From the age of 17, Kenneth Howe made it a goal to make sure that everyone knew that God loves them, and salvation awaits them. That's 74 years of service. Thanks Dad, for the best role model anyone could ask for. In lieu of flowers please make donations to: LOVE INC – Firewood Ministry Newberg Friends Church Newberg, Oregon 503-538-8381

Kenneth Lloyd Howe

November 24, 1933 - November 27, 2024